Women’s World Cup commentator slammed over sexist comment during Australia’s win over Ireland
A COMMENTATOR on the Women's World Cup has been slammed over an alleged sexist comment during Australia's win over Ireland.
The Matildas won their opening group match 1-0 in Sydney yesterday despite losing influential captain Sam Kerr just before kick off.
Stephanie Catley’s second half penalty was enough to secure the win in front of a record-breaking 75,784 fans at Stadium Australia.
However, it was Australian commentator David Basheer who found himself in the headlines afterwards.
He works for Channel Seven but has now been blasted on social media for saying Aussie star Katrina Gorry had retained her fighting spirit despite becoming a mother.
After watching her win a tackle, he said: “Certainly motherhood has not blunted her competitive instincts, that’s for sure. She is one fighter for Australia.”
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Basheer was praising Gorry’s efforts, but the remark was perceived as sexist and fans were quick to hit out at his comments online.
One football supporter responded to the remark with: “Did the channel 7 commentator just say “certainly motherhood hasn’t blunted her competitive instincts” about Gorry WTF?!”
Another tweeted: “Motherhood has not blunted her competitive instincts. ARE YOU SERIOUS? Welcome to 2023 mate.”
The backlash continued with a fellow tweeter saying: “If you say sexist crap like that you deserve the roasting.”
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“It's 2023 not 1943. Crazy we have this sort of nonsense still being said,” said another.
“It's unimaginable that this would be said about a male footballer becoming a Dad.”
While comedian Dan Ilic added on Twitter: “Don’t know if that commentator has ever met a mother … The most instinctively competitive people on earth.”
Channel Seven has so far refused to comment on the controversial comments.
Gorry gave birth to daughter Harper in 2021 and recently said: “I feel like my body’s in better shape than it ever has been before.
“After I had her it’s almost like my body went and reset. And little niggles that I had before her have just gone away and never come back.
“So it’s been pretty cool how it’s almost just refreshed my whole body.”